McIlroy and the European Team Prepare for the Noisy Ryder Cup Environment
VIRGINIA WATER, England – Rory McIlroy revealed that the European Ryder Cup team is using virtual reality technology to prepare for the hostile environment they might encounter at Bethpage Black, the public golf course known for its loud and, at times, offensive fans. The European team captain, Luke Donald, has assured that his team will be ready for the noise at Bethpage Black. McIlroy, after the BMW PGA Championship, commented that Donald gave the players virtual reality equipment on Tuesday night, after a team meeting.The European team, which had 11 players at Wentworth, was heading to New York to practice at Bethpage Black. Sepp Straka, who was at home due to the birth of his child, is expected to join the team. Straka is one of the five European players who have never competed at Bethpage Black. The last time Europe won the Ryder Cup on American soil was in 2012 in Medinah, thanks to an impressive comeback led by Ian Poulter. McIlroy added: “We are doing everything we can to prepare in the best way for what it will feel like next week Friday. But nothing can really prepare you until you’re there. You can use all the virtual reality headsets you want and do all the different things we’ve been trying to do to prepare, but once the first tee arrives on Friday, it will be real, and we will have to deal with what comes our way.” Europe can count on more support than in its last Ryder Cup as a visitor, which was in 2021 at Whistling Straits, where COVID-19 travel restrictions were still in place and there were hardly any European fans present.“It’s just to simulate the sights, the sounds, and the noise. It’s something we’re going to have to deal with. So it’s best to try to desensitize yourself as much as possible before going in there. You can make them say whatever you want them to say. So you can go as far as you want,” McIlroy said.
Rory McIlroy
